BBARWA board approves $209,500 infrastructure contract and new pay schedule

The Big Bear Area Regional Wastewater Agency's governing board unanimously approved a $209,500 construction contract and a new employee pay schedule at its regular meeting on April 22, 2026, in Big Bear City.

Infrastructure upgrade at the treatment plant

The board voted 5-0 to award the RAS Header Replacement Project contract to S. Porter, Inc.[1] The $209,500 contract[1] authorizes the General Manager to negotiate and execute the final documents. The project — which involves replacing infrastructure within the existing treatment plant — was found exempt from California Environmental Quality Act review under the state's "Existing Facilities" exemption.[1]

The board also received an update from the General Manager on a separate ongoing effort, the Cactus Flats Outfall Line Repair Project.[1] Details on that project's timeline and costs could not be confirmed from the meeting record.

Big Bear News has reached out to S. Porter, Inc. and the agency's General Manager for comment on the RAS project's scope and expected completion timeline. Responses were not available at publication time.

Staff raises take effect in July

The board also approved a new agency-wide pay schedule set to take effect July 11, 2026.[1] The schedule incorporates a 3.3% cost-of-living adjustment based on Consumer Price Index data for the upcoming fiscal year.[1] In addition, the pay range for the Plant Operator-in-Training position was reset to 5% below market median, a change informed by the agency's Compensation Study 2026.[1] No public comments were submitted on either the contract or the pay schedule.

Recognition and awards

The meeting opened on a celebratory note, with the General Manager and board recognizing employee Nikki Crumpler for 25 years of service to the agency.[1] The Finance Manager also presented a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association.[1]

The board ended the evening in closed session to conduct the General Manager's annual performance evaluation, reconvening approximately an hour later with no reportable action.[1]

Residents with questions about the RAS Header Replacement Project or the agency's operations can contact BBARWA at its offices at 121 Palomino Drive, Big Bear City.